the way we PLAY

Mount Maunganui’s cheekiest café is shaking up the scene with matcha magic, cult-status offcuts and a drinks menu that’s anything but ordinary.

How three Bay distilleries are redefining New Zealand gin.

High in the Kaimai Ranges, a small farm puts chickens first, and lets the eggs speak for themselves.

Delicious gluten-free, dairy-free recipes to balance blood sugar, boost your glow, and energise your body, created by holistic skin health expert Janine Tait and chef Isaac Weston.

In another life, Amy Tihema-Madden would've been an expert winemaker but the Hamilton mother of four has spent the past five years perfecting the art of fermenting tea, and we are all better for it, as UNO columnist Jess Easton writes.

Stacey Jones discovers a passionate foodie dedicated to creating authentic Greek experiences.

The top secret food experiences you need to know about.

Discover a modern taste of Italy with a family legacy at Coco’s Trattoria.

In part two of Plenty Under Twenty, Stacey Jones hunts out the best cheap eats under $20 that the Tauranga region has to offer.

If you’ve always wanted a thriving veggie garden, Bay local Heidi Hughes’ ingenious Veg Babies is a great way to start.

In a world of complicated recipes and confusing ingredients, Linda Duncan has come to the rescue. In The World’s Easiest Recipes she combines just five ingredients per meal using low-cost, easy-to-source items.

Tauranga’s Charles Leong’s enthusiasm for delicious wine is infectious, and he also has the happy knack of helping a wide array of people understand what they’re enjoying, writes UNO wine columnist Jess Easton.

Hayley Barnett discovers authentic Mexican cuisine and innovative cocktails in the heart of Mount Maunganui.

From French bistros to New York dreams, globe-trotting chef Paul Patterson has found his anchor at Ōhiwa Harbour's Fisherman’s Wharf.

Auckland’s popular gastropub Goode Brothers has left the nest to land in Bethlehem. UNO pops in to see what makes it so special.

These fun festive cocktails are sure to impress guests this holiday season. Refreshing, delicious and light, they’ll be on rotation all summer long.

Donna Hay shares her simple shortcuts for super easy summer entertaining.

Ollie Powrie has long hair and long limbs and occasionally rides a long board. For a long time, he’s also been making wine in his garage, writes UNO wine columnist Jess Easton, and they’re so good you’ll find yourself, well, longing for them.

The divine inspiration of UNO columnist Jess Easton, Saint Wine Bar pairs an impressive wine selection with delicious share plates for a match made in heaven.

The Bay is finally being recognised as a foodie destination for the discerning diner. Stacey Jones discovers how we got here by talking to the best in Tauranga's hospitality industry, and lists six of the most respected eateries in the region.

Whether you’re planning a holiday in the Eastern Bay or thinking of a day trip, you’ll find a range of eateries for all tastes and some notable spots for a drink or two. 

Marko Velickovic transforms fresh local ingredients into authentic Italian dishes at the beachside ‘trattoria’ Alma.

The Tauranga Club may be one of the Bay’s oldest institutions, but it’s got a refreshingly modern outlook. Join UNO as we’re invited inside the famous private members club.

Craving a night out without breaking the bank? Here’s part one
of Stacey Jones’ guide to the Bay’s tastiest budget bites.

Sometimes a wine can taste great in the moment, with a stunning setting and cool tunes playing. But what happens when you strip all that back? UNO wine columnist
Jess Easton finds out.

The BOP’s Plates of Plenty Challenge saw chefs from all over the region competing for the best dish. Here, some of the competitors – including the winners – share their divine recipes.

Hayley Barnett toasts to a deliciously novel local experience.

This cool, charming, casual-but-classy diner in the Mount offers an all-American experience that fits right in.

In the back blocks of Hawke’s Bay, surrounded by native plants and sculptures, Tony Prichard of de la terre is turning winemaking into an art form.

One word sums up this Tauranga restaurant: Classic. A classic setting, classic cuisine, and classic vibes make it a local favourite for a reason.

Karl Puschmann catches up with Ali Campbell, the legendary UB40 frontman, to talk band beginnings, protest and politics, their big hits, and why he can’t wait to bring the band’s reggae vibes back to the Bay.

Meet Pāpāmoa’s Stan Bicknell – a world-class drummer, teacher, creator and total rhythm freak who has turned his skill into a way of life. He’s proud to admit his craft is his obsession, and if you’ve got sticks, he’s got something to teach you.

Singer-songwriter Ayla Gold recently broke into the Bay’s indie music scene with her first EP Nuance. Her vintage rock style has been influenced by an eclectic mix of artists over the years. Here, she tells UNO about her artistic process and where she sees Tauranga’s music scene headed in the future.

He’s signed to pop star Benee’s record label and counts Elton John as a fan. Now Raglan musician Muroki has released his third EP, the emotion-filled Timezones, and made a major move.

Everything you didn’t know you needed to know about the legendary English rock band, playing at A Summer's Day Live in Tauranga on December 30.

Esteemed pianist Somi Kim is set to join Opus Orchestra for a captivating soloist performance.

Whiskey SoHo is the Bay’s top-shelf blend of musical talent.

Stan Walker is all grown up – and learning to find the balance between his music and his expanding whānau.

With her emotional, original songs and powerful te reo Māori waiata, singer-songwriter Georgia Lines is conquering the New Zealand music industry.

“On stage ready to welcome everyone to UNO’s 50th birthday party, I could see exactly why the Bay of Plenty’s thriving. The room was full of people who support each other. Locals in the arts, business, governance, community groups and medical teams, our columnists, advertisers, readers – we wanted to invite everyone we'd ever met to share the joy together.”

If you like reggae then you’ll love Katchafire, if you weren’t sure if you like reggae, you’ll still love Katchafire.

With a Welsh dragon tattooed over his heart, a love of swimming in winter and a husband who works in fashion, the mould was clearly broken when Chalium Poppy was born. Performing since he was four years old and all over the world, he’s arguably one of the most experienced classical musicians in the country.

Tauranga Arts Festival will come to life with a dazzling circus, bold beats, sharp wit and homegrown brilliance.

Artist Jacki Barklie fuses emotion and bold experimentation to create striking, unconventional works.

Moa bones, eagle claws and ancient wonders are sparking young minds in the Bay.

In just four short years, Tauranga’s hip hop dance studio Space has made a big splash on the international scene. Founders Summer Tyson and Cameron Smith tell us they’re just getting started.

Reena Snook is bringing world-class, all–te reo Māori theatre to Tauranga, creating a bold new direction for Baycourt.

Dean Flavell is restoring Tauranga’s heritage by bringing taonga Māori home, one treasure at a time.

UNO catches up with local film director James Ashcroft in New York to discuss his new thriller, the demons driving his films, working with Robert De Niro and Stephen King, and how he achieved all of this from the shores of Mount Maunganui.

Meet the boat builder turned artist who crafts sculptures so fluid and luminous, they feel alive.

From early performances in family “cuzzie shows” at the Mount, to cruise ships and Disney film sets, Georgia Brokenshire’s career is taking off in leaps and bounds.

The Bay has been a mecca for successful fashion designers for decades, and now the new Tauranga Museum is planning to showcase its creative history in a collection that’s dressed to impress.

Tauranga’s surprising past and present connections to the ever-popular Troll Doll.

Dive into UNO’s top picks for great holiday reading.

The first woman to represent Aotearoa on the international skateboarding scene is throwing her support behind a skateboard collection that will be part of the permanent exhibition at Tauranga Museum opening in 2028. 

At Sala Art Gallery, the art is an invitation to conversation and connection.

UNO catches up with Deborah McCormick, the newly appointed chair of Tauranga’s Public Art Panel, to find out how our city is about to change for the better.

The CBD is getting a much-needed glow up, courtesy of acclaimed artist Sara Hughes, the council and over 250 local children.

Judy Bailey reflects on purposeful ageing, what brings her joy, and her feelings of imposter syndrome ahead of her Tauranga literary festival debut.

Julian Godfery’s unique interpretation of the world is captured in his intricate artworks.

One of Tauranga Museum’s first exhibitions will celebrate the region’s pivotal role in Aotearoa’s surfing culture.

A 12-year-old from Tauranga is scaling new heights on the big screen, starring in local dramedy The Mountain.

Tauranga Art Gallery’s planned renovation has begun; in the meantime, opportunities for art continue throughout the local community.

After a couple of false starts, Tauranga is finally getting its very own museum in 2028. But what will it show and why do we need one

Visual artist Shona Moller brings artistic diversity and a unique approach to Mount Maunganui's arts scene

UNO talks to local experts about the transformation of the Bay’s tattoo industry and the healing power of this often misunderstood art form.

Tauranga Arts Festival is renowned for bringing the world to the city’s doorstep but for this year’s October 19-29 extravaganza, the new team at the festival’s helm are embracing the moment.

Vivid, bold and playful, Paul Darragh’s artwork brings all the drama.

Bringing Māori art to the mainstream is a personal and professional passion for Julie Paama-Pengelly.

Live music, food, garden-related trade stores, tiny houses, guest speakers and art displays are all part of the fun at Bloom in the Bay.

The new artistic director of Tauranga’s flagship Arts Festival brings passion and experience to the event.

You'll find old-world appeal in this vintage-inspired shopping and community complex, with its unique cobblestone streets and charming historic buildings.